When you need extra refrigerated storage space, hiring a fridge cool room can be the perfect solution. These portable cold rooms allow you to increase your cold storage capacity temporarily without the major expense and hassle of constructing a permanent walk-in cooler. However, there are some key pitfalls to avoid when renting a refrigerated room.
After over 15 years of providing cold room hire, Brisbane companies have relied on the experts at Cool Room Hire and have seen businesses make the same mistakes over and over. Don’t be caught out – read on to learn the top 20 blunders to steer clear of.
1. Not Booking Early Enough
The demand for fridge room rentals is high, especially during busy periods like summer. If you wait until the last minute, you may find that none are available when you need them. Always book your cold room hire well in advance to ensure availability.
2. Underestimating Size Requirements
Don’t make the mistake of underestimating how much cold storage space you really need. Measure everything thoroughly that needs to be refrigerated and factor in some extra capacity as a buffer. Being too cramped will make the space difficult to work in.
3. Overestimating Size Requirements
While underestimating is a common error, the opposite problem occurs, too. An overly large cool room means you’re paying for excess capacity you don’t need and wasting energy running a bigger system than required.
4. Poor Site Planning
You’ll need an appropriate space for the cold room with a level, solid surface, shelter from the elements, and easy refrigeration unit access. Proper site planning is essential to a smooth installation.
5. Not Checking Access
Make sure there are no obstacles like narrow corridors or tight spaces that would prevent easy movement of the cold room components to the installation site. Measure all access paths beforehand.
6. Insufficient Power Supply
Bear in mind the refrigeration unit powering your cold room will require a decent power supply. Don’t assume your standard electrical can handle it without checking capacity.
7. Failing to Organise
Power Even if you have ample electrical supply, you may need to run extension cords or cables if there are no outlets near the installation location. Forgetting to arrange power access is a common and frustrating oversight.
8. Not Arranging a Shelving System
While modern cool rooms are pretty much self-contained, you’ll likely need some sort of racks, shelves or other organisers to properly store items inside. Don’t wait until after it’s installed to think about this.
9. Poor Temperature Monitoring
The whole point of a fridge cool room is to keep contents at a safe, consistent temperature. Have a plan for monitoring temperatures and ensuring the system is working as it should.
10. Infrequent Stock Rotation
Just like your regular fridge or freezer at home, items stored in a portable cold room need to be rotated regularly based on expiry dates. Don’t let older stock get lost and go to waste!
11. Mixing Temperatures
As a rule of thumb, you’ll want to keep chilled and frozen goods in separate fridge and freezer cold rooms rather than mixing them together in one unit set to an in-between temp.
12. Unsafe Loading Practices
Take care not to overload cool room shelving beyond stated weight limits. Also, ensure heavy items are situated towards the bottom to avoid shelves collapsing. Proper loading keeps workers safe.
13. Blocking Air Flow
Don’t block cold air vents by crowding the cool room walls with excessive stock. Proper air circulation is key to maintaining consistent temperatures throughout the space.
14. Leaving the Door Open Unnecessarily
It may seem obvious, but a commonly overlooked issue is coolroom doors being left open frequently or for extended periods. This allows cold air to escape and raises electrical running costs.
15. Not Utilising Energy-Saving Mode
Most quality portable cold rooms have an energy-saving or economy mode. Be sure to make use of these features to maximise efficiency during periods of inactivity.
16. Lack of Routine Maintenance
Like any refrigeration system, cool rooms need routine cleaning, inspections and basic maintenance to ensure they are operating at peak efficiency. Don’t neglect these important tasks when you get a cold room hire Brisbane company.
17. Operating in Extreme Heat
While cool rooms are designed to function in warm ambient temperatures, very hot weather can impair their performance. Try to have some shading or an air-conditioned room when temperatures soar.
18. Running with Open Air Gaps
Cool rooms need to be properly sealed to maintain cold temperatures. Double-check there are no gaps around doors or panels that could cause cold air leakage and inefficient operation.
19. Ignoring Safety Procedures
Handling very cold items and working in freezing temperatures brings its own risks of frostbite or cold burns. Implement proper clothing and handling procedures to keep staff safe.
20. Choosing the Wrong Company
Perhaps the biggest mistake is selecting an unreliable or inexperienced supplier. Do your research and choose an established cold room hire Brisbane company like Cool Room Hire with a reputation for quality equipment and top-notch service.
The team at Cool Room Hire has seen it all when it comes to mistakes businesses make with their cold room facilities. However, avoiding these 20 common pitfalls can help ensure a smooth, seamless experience that meets all your refrigeration needs. If you have any other questions about portable cool rooms or want a quote, Contact Cold Room Hire today!
